Mustangs spank Eastern New Mexico 77-62

PORTALES, N.M. - The Midwestern State University Mustangs held on to sole possession of second place in the Lone Star Conference South and guaranteed themselves a first-round LSC Tournament home game by beating Eastern New Mexico 77-62 Thursday night at Greyhound Arena.

MSU (19-6, 8-3) overcame a quick ENMU (11-14, 5-6)lead and never let up.

The Mustangs and Hounds battled back and forth before MSU pulled out a nine-point lead at the half 30-21.

The Mustangs jumped out to a 13-point lead at 36-23 when the Greyhounds made a charge.

Ira Cross hit a quick layup and a Donald Young jumper made it a six-point game.

But MSU answered with a 13-0 run started by a Drew Coffman three-pointer.

When the smoke cleared MSU was up 49-30 with 12:56 to play and it was almost over.

The Mustangs eventually got the lead up to 21 at 61-40 with 6:41 to play, then played to keep the clock running as much as possible.

The game was dominated inside by Eric Dawson who collected his 17th double-double of the season with 18 points and 14 rebounds, while blocking three shots, chalking up three steals and dishing out four assists to lead MSU.

ENMU was led by 17 points from Justin Redman-Trotter, who also added eight rebounds. Tristan Largent was held to just 11 points. Donald Young pulled down nine boards to lead the Greyhounds.

The win assures MSU the number two seed in the LSC Tournament and a home game next Tuesday at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

It also sets up a showdown with West Texas A&M on Saturday night in Canyon. The winner gets the number one seed from the LSC South to the LSC Tournament and the right to host the semifinals and finals if they win the opening round.

+++ MSU +++